National Republican., 1887-05-20


The Episcopal council commenced Its
second days session yesterday morning at
10 O'Clock In 81. Paul's Church, Alexan-
dria. Rev. r. w. Forsyth, of Liberty, read
the morning service.
Bishop PeterSin, of West Virginia,
preached from Psalms, XVII.
Bishop Whittle then called the council to
order. Rev. Beverly ID. Tucker presented
the petition of st. Peters Church, Nor.
folk county, to be set apart as a separate
parish; referred to tue committee on new
parishes.
Bishop Whittle read his annual address
The statistical portions OF the address
showed the following:
Episcopal visitatlous, 80; combinations,
white 625, colored 272, total S97 postulants
received, s; candidates for deacon's orders,
colored 2; present number, colored 2 can
didates for priests orders, white z, colored
., total 10; present number, white IL,
colored 3, total 90; deacons ordained, white
3, colored 4, total z; present number, white
7,.colored 9, total 10; pres byters ordained,
white /, colored 2, total 3; ministers died,
Q; letters dismissory given, white 4, colored
], total 8; letters dlsmlssory accepted, o;
churches consecrated, o; mission chu rches
organized, 1; lay readers licensed. 81: pres
ent number Of clergy, 154.
In regard to the effort being made to
change the name Of the church, he said: - -
"The proposition ION change Of name)
was lost by a small majority, but will no
doubt be revived in the next convention,
and with every pospect OF success. What
the bishops will do II the question is brought
before them no one can say. The fact that
the movement met with such favor In the
81 hoa ad pui Hae nj ad
surprise and alarm. But why should 1t be
so regarded by any who are acquainted
with the history Of events during the past
fifty yearsP 1t is SIMPLY the seed which
has been sown and permitted to grow,
bringing forth fruit after its kind, and
which might have been looked for as q
matter Of course. As you ore aware, each
of my predecessors Bishops Moore, Meade,
and Johns, and many other true and faith
full men-solemnly warned the church from
time to time that Romlsh teaching and
practices, contrary to the word OF God and
condemned by our standard, were being
privily brought in among, us, which
would ultimately destroy the scriptural
and protestant character OF our commu-
nion. These Innovations have continued
to increase with such steadiness and rapid.
ity, without hindrance, or even rebuke,
that In many places and by many OF our
clergy doctrines are openly and boastfully
testing against which our fathers were
burned at the stake. 1t is not strange, but
Just what might have been expected, that
these Romanizers, having changed for
themselves the church, should wish to
change the name also and adopt another
not trust myself to discuss this subject, but
there are two questions which 1t seems to
me we are bound to consider. First, is 1t
not our duty to make an effort to change
the organization Of our general convention,
and to constitute 1t on q basis Of something
like Justice and equality, SO that small
minority OF our ministers and members
shall not have power, through their repre-
sentatives us now, to legislate for the large
majority? And second, are we Of Virginia
(whatever other dioceses may do) going to
submit to the effort Of this minority to
undo the work Of the reformation for us
and our children, uprotestantize our
churches and carry us back to RomeT
Bishop Randolph then read his address.
He reported 500 combinations and three
churches consecrated.
The motion to change canon XIII so as
to make presbyters alone eligible for voting
was laid on the table.
Rev. j. X. Mason, from the committee
on parochial statistics, reported the follow
ing: Baptisms-Whlte adults, 1926; infants,
1,O01; colored, adults, 69 infants, 146; total,
1,541; Indians, adults, 2; infants, l; total, 8.
Confrmations-White, 1859; Indians, Z;
colored, 291; total, 1850. Communicates
White, 1876; colored, 024; total, 1920.
Contributions, S2ls, ,43763.
Several other reports were received, read,
and referred.
Rev. E. W. Hubbard, of Bedford county,
said that he wished to offer resolution,
but before doing so he desired that the
council would hear him for short tlme.
Referring to the position OF the church In
regard to the colored people, he said that
he wished to ask that justice should be done
them. First, because it was their duty to
do so because Of their known fathfulness to
the white people Of Virginia during the war,
and also because of their continued fidelity
and faithfulness. It might be said that thia
matter ought not to be brought up now,
because the same subject had created q
division in the church In South Carolina.
and then some would say that 1t might have
an effect upon the coming elections in this
state; but, Notwithstanding these objec-
tions he said he felt 1t was his duty to bring
1t to the attention OF the council. He then
offered the following:
Whereas II Is matter of fact, we'll known to
all members of the council and of this diocese
that the constitution OF the church IN this
diocese was adopted altSgethsr, by white h n con
cation In 1855 to the year 1865 was administered
altogether upon e basis Of z white member.
ship: and OF wntS consntuSon besa aha a,b%9 Wni
nc. legislation to that end has ever been had
colored ministers have been allowed to sit In
the council; and, whereas 1t Is q matter o
anxious concern with many whether such {
change In the membership of our diocesan
council Is in accordance with the fundamental
law of this diocese as originally adopted,
Rts0lped. That the matters involved herein bt
referred to committee to consider and repor
what action In the premises Is expedlent.
II. NJ. Clarkson, Of Prince William county
moved to lay the whole subject on tn,
table, and the motion was carried by vote
of 105 ayes to 35 nays.
Rev. P. NJ. Boyden moved that the salary
of the secretary be reduced to $3.50; the
motion was lost.
Rev. DIR. Dasheil offered resolution foI
Rev. II. NJ. jackson, who was absent OF
account Of sickness, looking to the re
establishment of the perpetual deaconate
in accordance with the custom OF the early
church, which was referred to the com
mittee on the state Of the church.
On motion Of Judge II. w. Sheffey, o
Staunton, Trinity Church, Staunton, wa
selected as the place for the meeting Of tn
next council.
The council adjourned until this morning
q -